How to relieve neuropathy pain in feet

The peripheral nervous system sends sensory information from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. The peripheral nerves also send sensory information from the other part of the body to the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).

Damage to the peripheral nerves which often causes pain, weakness, and numbness is known as peripheral neuropathy.

This damage to the peripheral nerves can result from diabetes, traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems, inherited causes and exposure to toxins.

Peripheral neuropathy can affect just one nerve, two or more nerves in different areas of the body.

What is the best treatment for peripheral neuropathy?

There are several different treatment options for peripheral neuropathy. However, the most common and effective treatment is the use of anti-seizure medications such as gabapentin and pregabalin. Another effective treatment is the use of certain tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, doxepin, duloxetine, and nortriptyline. These medications help relieve neuropathic pain by interfering with the chemical processes in your brain and spinal cord that are causing the pain.

What happens when neuropathy gets worse?

If neuropathy is left untreated and it gets worse, the numbness, tingling, and pain will get worse over time. Also, the damaged nerves will continue to send wrong and confusing signals to the brain more frequently. You may start to feel pain when there is nothing causing the pain. You may not also feel pain even when you have an injury or something that should cause pain, due to the wrong signals sent to the brain. You may be at risk of developing potentially serious complications, such as a foot ulcer that could get infected. If not adequately and timely treated, the foot ulcer could lead to tissue death. In severe cases, the affected foot could be amputated.

What does neuropathic pain feel like?

Neuropathic pain is often described as a burning, stabbing, throbbing or tingling pain. The pain is usually felt in the hands and feet and can spread to other parts of the body.

How can I ease the pain of neuropathy?

There are different ways you can ease the pain of neuropathy. These include:

• Exercise – Engaging in regular exercises, such as walking can help reduce neuropathy pain and improve muscle strength.

• Over-the-counter pain relievers – Taking over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen can help relieve neuropathic pain.

• Opioids – If over-the-counter pain relievers don’t relieve your pain, taking medications containing opioids, such as tramadol or oxycodone can help relieve neuropathic pain. However, these medications are addictive and should be taken for a short time.

• Anti-seizure medications – Anti-seizure medications such as gabapentin and pregabalin may relieve nerve pain.

• Antidepressants – Taking tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, doxepin and nortriptyline can help relieve pain.

What is the difference between neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy?

Neuropathy is the general term used to describe damage of nerves while peripheral neuropathy is a type of neuropathy that involves the damage of peripheral nerves. The peripheral nerves send sensory information from the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to the other parts of the body. The peripheral nerves also send sensory information from the other parts of the body to the central nervous system.

Can Apple cider vinegar help with nerve pain?

Yes. You can relieve neuropathic pain by using Apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is one of the best home remedies used for the treatment of neuropathy.

Is neuropathy a disability?

Neuropathy is termed a disability only if it is so severe that it impacts your ability to work. If you are not able to work as a result of neuropathy, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits.

What is the best home remedy for nerve pain?

• Exercise – Exercising regularly can help reduce neuropathy pain, improve muscle strength and help control your blood sugar levels.

• Avoid smoking – Smoking can affect circulation and increase the risk of foot problems. Smoking can also cause other neuropathy complications. Abstaining from smoking can help prevent neuropathy and also reduce neuropathic pain.

• Good feet hygiene – Taking care of your feet is important, especially if you have diabetes. Always ensure that your feet are clean. Check your feet daily for blisters, cuts or calluses. Wear comfortable, soft, loose cotton socks and padded shoes.

• Avoid excessive intake of alcohol – Excessive intake of alcohol can worsen peripheral neuropathy. Avoid or reduce your intake of alcohol.

• Eat healthy meals – Essential vitamins and minerals are important for the prevention of neuropathy. Eating nutritious foods that contains essential vitamins and minerals such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein can help reduce nerve pain.

• Monitor your blood sugar levels – Monitoring your blood sugar levels, especially if you have diabetes can help improve your neuropathy.

How do you sleep with peripheral neuropathy?

The recommended sleeping patterns for people with peripheral neuropathy include:

• Sleeping in a recliner position by sleeping on your side and bending your knee towards your chest.

• Sleeping on the back and placing a pillow underneath the legs to make you more comfortable.

• Sleeping on your side and placing a pillow between the thighs

What is the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy?

The most common cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes. However, peripheral neuropathy can result from traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems, inherited causes and exposure to toxins.

How long does it take for neuropathy to go away?

Pain is the most common symptom of neuropathy. You may feel the pain at all times and the pain may come and go. The peripheral nerves have the ability to heal on its own. However, it may take months. In some cases, symptoms of neuropathy may reduce but not completely go away.

What are the stages of neuropathy?

There are four stages of neuropathy. These include:

Stage One: Numbness and Pain

Stage one is the beginning stage of neuropathy. At this stage, patients become aware that something feels wrong with the nerves in their hands and/or feet. The symptoms that patients may experience are feeling of pain, numbness, or both. The symptoms may come and go. Patients may also notice a problem with their balance or reflexes which may not seem too severe. Many patients can continue going about their daily lives without seeking medical treatment.

Stage Two: Constant Pain

In stage two, the neuropathy is becoming more severe. Patients experience pain that is becoming more severe and difficult to endure. At this stage, it is advised that patients seek medical treatment before the nerves become more permanently damaged.

Stage Three: Intense Pain

In stage three, patients will experience very severe pain that usually occurs every day. At this stage, many patients will be unable to do tasks and daily activities that they used to do before with ease. Patients will start feeling increased sensation and pain. The pain will become unbearable and this could have a huge impact on their daily lives. Surgical interventions such as nerve decompression surgery may become necessary in this stage to fix the root cause of the neuropathy.

Stage Four: Complete Numbness and Loss of Sensation

This is the last and most severe stage of neuropathy. At this stage, patients experience complete numbness and loss of sensation. The nerves will send wrong signals or no signals. Patients will lose their feeling and the risk of recurrent wounds will increase. Patients may have foot ulcers that may lead to tissue death (gangrene). If proper treatment is not sought, the risk of having the affected limb amputated will increase.

FAQS

Can you live a normal life with peripheral neuropathy?

If peripheral neuropathy is not addressed on time, you may find it difficult to stand for long periods or walk without assistance. You may have problems with balance and you may have increased risk of falling. You may have increased sensitivity to heat and cold. You may find it difficult to do your daily tasks and activities.

Can you drive with peripheral neuropathy?

If neuropathy affects the sensation of your feet and the ability to feel your feet on the pedals of your car, it is advised that you should not drive. You have an increased risk of losing control and getting in an accident. You may be involved in an accident due to the slow reaction in moving your foot from the accelerator to the brake pedal.

What causes neuropathy to flare up?

Diabetes and high blood sugar can cause neuropathy to flare up.

Can you have neuropathy and not have diabetes?

Diabetes is a common cause of neuropathy. However, there are other causes of neuropathy such as traumatic injuries, infections, protein abnormalities, metabolic problems, inherited causes, and exposure to toxins. This means you can have neuropathy even if you don’t have diabetes.

How do you stop neuropathy from progressing?

You can stop neuropathy from progressing by losing weight, exercising, monitoring blood sugar levels, avoiding smoking, limiting your intake of alcohol, taking more essential vitamins and minerals, and treating injuries and infections on time.

Does stress worsen neuropathy?

Persistent stress may affect peripheral nerves, potentially worsening symptoms of neuropathy.

Peripheral Neuropathy ICD-10

When the peripheral nerves are damaged, it can cause weakness, numbness and pain. This condition is known as peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral nerves are the nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord.

While peripheral neuropathy usually affects the peripheral nerves, it can also affect other areas of the body and other body functions.

A common cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes but it can also result from traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems, exposure to toxins, and inherited causes.

What is the code for peripheral neuropathy?

The code for peripheral neuropathy is ICD-10.

What is the difference between peripheral neuropathy and polyneuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is the damage of only the peripheral nerves while polyneuropathy is the malfunction or damage of multiple nerves in different parts of the body.

Polyneuropathy simultaneously affects multiple nerves located in different parts of the body. The nerves responsible for feeling (sensory nerves), movement (motor nerves), or many other nerves can be affected at the same time.

Causes of polyneuropathy include infections, toxins, drugs, cancers, nutritional deficiencies, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and some other disorders.

What is the ICD 10 code for neuropathic pain?

M79. 2 is the ICD-10 code for the diagnosis of neuropathic pain.

What causes peripheral neuropathy?

There are many possible causes of peripheral neuropathy. These include:

Diabetes

Diabetes is the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy. Most people with diabetes usually develop peripheral neuropathy.

Infections 

Infections including certain viral or bacterial infections such as shingles, hepatitis B and C, leprosy, HIV, etc, can cause peripheral neuropathy.

Autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune disease is a disease whereby the body’s immune system mistakenly or erroneously attacks healthy cells in the body. Autoimmune diseases that may cause peripheral neuropathy include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, vasculitis, etc.

Tumors

Tumors including growths, cancerous and noncancerous can develop on the peripheral nerves or press on nerves, causing peripheral neuropathy.

Bone marrow disorders

Bone marrow disorders such as an abnormal protein in the blood, a form of bone cancer, and lymphoma can cause peripheral neuropathy.

Inherited disorders

Certain inherited disorders can cause peripheral neuropathy that is inherited.

Medications

Certain medications, particularly medications used for the treatment of cancer can cause peripheral neuropathy.

Exposure to poisons

Exposure to toxic substances including industrial chemicals, lead and mercury can cause peripheral neuropathy.

Injury or pressure on the peripheral nerve

Injuries to the peripheral nerves, such as from accidents, falls or sports injuries, can damage the peripheral nerves. Having a cast, using crutches or repetitive motion can exert pressure on the peripheral nerves which may cause peripheral neuropathy.

Vitamin deficiencies

B vitamins, vitamin E, and niacin are vital to the health of the peripheral nerves. Deficiencies in these vitamins can cause or increase your risk of peripheral neuropathy.

Is peripheral neuropathy serious?

Peripheral nerves can regenerate into new healthy nerves. By addressing underlying causes, you can effectively treat peripheral neuropathy and live a normal life.

Peripheral neuropathy is not very serious but if untreated, it could lead to severe conditions such as tissue death. Tissue death of gangrene may ultimately cause the damaged limb to be amputated.

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